By 1923 a model bakery provided ‘wholesome goods’, especially those containing dried fruit, for sale in refreshment rooms. To encourage the citrus fruit industry he opened a kiosk at Flinders Street station in 1924, set up stalls at other stations, and sold much fruit in times of glut. In November 1926 Clapp began selling pure orange and lemon juice drinks at a stall in Flinders Street station, the first, he claimed, in the Commonwealth.
To take a small detour from this booklet, Michael Symons’ great book One continuous picnic: a gastronomic history of Australia (2nd edition, MUP: Carlton, Vic, 2007) sets out Clapp’s achievements including the development of the ‘novelty product’ raisin bread. Probably in about 1923 he started producing recipe booklets, the first for raisin recipes; 100,000 were distributed. This was followed by recipes for apples, blackcurrants, loganberries and grapes. There is no mention of the recipe booklet shown here.
Richard Overell says
A perfect, short piece on an interesting man and intriguing recipe booklets. Plus the “raisin bread” detail!
mbede says
Thank you
Derek Moore says
Fascinating reminder of the Railway Refreshment Rooms and their role in the promotion of fruit juice , for example, I remember seeing the Orange Juice dispenser on many occasions at Flinders Street station.
Recipe books such as this one must have encouraged the use of dried fruit in many homes.
We are reminded of the origins of Raisin bread ( and other fruit breads) in Australia
Well done!
mbede says
Derek, when do you remember seeing the juice dispenser?
Derek Moore says
Mandy,
I think it would have been the late 1950’s into the early 1960’s and perhaps longer,
Regards,
Derek
Susan Annetts says
Sorting through my Grandmother’s recipes I came across this recipe booklet which seems to be generally the same except mine is dated June, 1932 on the bottom of the inside back cover. How my Grandmother who was born and lived her whole life in Birmingham, UK, would have come into ownership of the booklet I really have no idea! It was very interesting to read your article, as I to was wondering why the Victoria Railways Commissioners would publish such a book. Thank you!
mbede says
Susan, borrow the book – One continuous picnic if you can – good index and it sheds light on how entrepreurial these transport leaders were – its fascinating